INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I can’t help but think, somewhere ....someplace ...Bill Redman Floyd is relaxing and laughing his Azz off .....Have a great day Redman ....mix two days of rain and compound that with poor planning from the genius NHRA brass and you have already THREE schedule adjustments and not one car has gone down the track yet. Oh, and this is the BIGGEST race of the year....

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

NHRA can not control the weather. Maybe they could have done a better job of predicting the weather before hand and had back up plan. One idea would be to reach out to local racers to work as volunteers to assist with parking. Even a few of the early arrivals could help. The track had people there days and weeks before the big race to prep for it. They could have a parking map made up to give to the volunteers to show the different parking areas for each class. Most have golf carts or scooters with them. Then parking could start sooner if bad weather is predicted. I know I would volunteer to do that if I could. Most take more pit area than they need. I usually work off of the back of my trailer. Just need enough room to fit my toter and push out the slide. This is especially important when some of the pit area is not useable or very muddy

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

NHRA is like an abusive spouse.

They abuse you and then say nice things. They love you, they need you, your the bedrock of the relationship. They may even buy you a rose afterward.

Then the cycle begins again. It occurs over and over and over.

If NHRA really values sportsman racers they have a funny way of showing it.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Its the same crap every year and everyone always bitchin' about it.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

The bitching will stop and the attitudes will change tomorrow when they start the program.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

How long would it have taken if everybody just had a station wagon and a open trailer instead of a mobile condo?

Bent

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Point taken, let's not blame this on the racers.
I haven't been there since 2004, with an open trailer and a class A.
We were completely surrounded in stacking by the big rigs back then.
The point is NHRA knows about them ,and should act accordingly, in all kinds of weather.
How much have they raised the entry since then?

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Sure I'll have another comment for here ;-)

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

In my humble opinion there is no excuse for what has happened to these dedicated racers.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Why don't they just park around the clock as folks show up?

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

VOLUNTEERS. ??....while the fat cats on the board keep raking in the cash ?? GEEZ ...Each racer paid 380 bucks to enter this race....They sure as hell should be parked in a timely matter....

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Yup that's why I liked racing with IHRA when they were still alive. The gate was open all night long and no stacking. Greeted you with a smile, took your fee and got you parked no matter what time it was. When we raced at Immokalee the gate was just open for you to come in and park. Get up in the morning and go to the gate in your golf cart , pay the fee and get your tech card.

It really doesn't have to be as difficult as NHRA makes it. Everyone is pre paid so there is no money exchanged at the gate.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Racers helping racers was my real idea. With NHRA cutting back on the amount of help at the track this could be an option. The fat cats are always going to be about themselves that will never change. Out of the box thinking is what will make a difference. Anyone else have an idea instead of just complaining? I bet most of the racers there will just roll with what comes their way and enjoy the weekend.

I guess I would rather be there this weekend instead of preparing for a category 3 hurricane to hit the coast of Florida sometime on Monday morning.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

[QUOTE=Bent Valve;595721]How long would it have taken if everybody just had a station wagon and a open trailer instead of a mobile condo?

Bent[/QUOTE
It would take a long time to find that many station wagons.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I can't imagine Buster being especially pleased with the way his racers are being treated. John Kissel K242

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

$380 PLUS pit crew, friends, wives, older kids I'm surprised NHRA does not charge for any dogs too.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I was there in '69 + 70 and thought then that it was a poor
facility for the expected crowds. Proved to be true.
I have never been back. Go Classracers!
Bob

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Shhhhhh! Don't give them any ideas. The next thing you know they'll make us pay for a dog license.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I have an idea to go along with the idea that someone else had about parking around the clock.

How about start parking on Sunday or even Saturday. It's Indy for heaven sake.

Even if there's a race the weekend before, they should be able to reserve space and start parking rigs.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

The last time NHRA got a nickel from me was Indy 2004 they didn't care then, don't care now, and will never care again about sportsmen racers they keep adding enhancements($$$) and you all just keep going back racers won more money 15/20 years ago and had less invested then today I see that $380.00 entry going to $500.00 in a few years you want to park early that will be $300.00 more you want to have more then 2 qualifying hits $250.00 ea. You'll have to fill your rigs at their pumps when you leave the race it's only going to get worse not better You have to use their fuel in some classes(Payola) soon you'll have to use their tires,oil,shocks,engine builders etc. they have pissed off all the manufactures so no money from them. Good luck to everyone and BE SAFE!!!!
PS. Stay off my lawn.....LOL!!!

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I know I've complained about your complaining but that's a good one right there! And I wouldn't be shocked if they don't at sometime in the future, probably will be another insurance thing.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Mike you know I can relate it's not quite been a year since we were devastated here so keep your head down if that thing comes your way buddy.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

It would cost me $2500 if I had to pay for dogs LOL!

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Thanks James. right now the hurricane is predicted to cross the state right east of Tampa across what is known as the I-4 corridor. Hopefully once it crosses the state the winds will be down to tropical storm force. Not too worried right nowbut have to keep an eye on it. I ha to cancel my plan to go to the Div 2 Natty Open this weekend at Jackson SC then we were going over to Darlington for the Nascar race on Sunday evening. The hurricane has screwed up that trip. I don't want to be traveling with a Toter and 40 ft trailer in Hurricane or tropical storm force winds
Racers that are headed back to Florida on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday from Indy should be aware of this storm force winds and the issues with getting fuel in the aftermath of the storm. Could make travel difficult.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

IMO it is time to drop the two index classes. NHRA has added Top Dragster and Top Sportsman so that should be enough classes to keep the show going. SG and SC did not fill thier quota's so it looks like they are not that geeked on being here for the big go. Remember it is go fast or go home at this race.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

we'll time goes in circle's, at this time nhra is at the point they have been in
business for only 3 weeks and no one knows what the *&^$%%#_ they are
doing.So in time major events will turn into ghost towns and those at the helm will find themselves along side the Titanic my 2 cents

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

You are right, throttle stops and electronics don't belong at this race.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

It is getting really old with some of you guys acting like a bunch of teenage girls bashing other racers and classes.
As a former stock racer and current SG racer and at Indy currently I believe unless we support all the classes all of us will be kicked to the curb.
We will all be out of the big races.
End of rant.
Go ahead and trash me ladies.
Rick Cates SG 56

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Rick,
Not trashing you but back in the old days we ran our roadster in S/C with a 468" and a bolt under the throttle. 8.90's at 150 plus.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

So it's OK for a legal C/SA to be over 1 second quicker than in 1990, but progress be damned in the Super classes?

Do TD and TS need to give up their delay boxes and nitrous timers for Indy, or are those OK?

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

You have to understand that Indy is all about go fast or go home for every class with the exception of the Super classes. They are the only all run class. The Top classs are big buck bracket cars. I don’t think any of these classes have the history behind them like the more traditional NHRA class cars have. By the way they are also the only classes that are allowed the electronic crutches. Everyone else leaves off of the bulb. I am not a fan of the delay box or throttle stop stuff. Just my opinion.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I love how everyone piles on the Super Classes for providing an 8-round race although not filling the quota, but not a word about Comp not filling the qualified field. All-run!

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Indy is Indy, it may have different meanings to those in different classes but it's still the US Nationals and everyone should have the opportunity to race Indy. That being said, with the super classes not filling I wish they would've opened those spots up for the Stock/SS racers but otherwise no classes should be omitted from the US Nationals.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

S/ST isn’t running....

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

To be honest the pits are full. Not sure where they would put another rig. There are rigs parked in spots I have never seen rigs parked in at Indy before. I would expect further reductions in the sportsman car qoutas to gain space and ease parking.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Maybe SC and SG don't fill since they don't care for the schedule? I sure didn't when I had my dragster there once. They have 3 rounds of eliminations before R1 of stock is contested, so 87.5% of them are eliminated before the weekend! And 4 rounds completed before SS runs R1.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I didn't think so, so there is one class that is omitted from ever being there.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Tony, we all play by the rules NHRA gives us or at least most of us do.
A few years ago the SST, SG, and SC guys and gals were given a vote chance to lower the index's by a half or a full second for all classes. It was voted down by the majority mostly due to so many not being able to compete at the faster index or due to the cost to the racers to go that much faster.
My SG car can go the full second faster so it was ok with me however, I understand others issue's by voting it down.
Should the delay boxes be outlawed by the rules that will be fine with me. It is a easy change for me. I can adapt. Just give me the rules and I can play by them.
I did not complain and that is basically the same issue I hate to see. People on here trashing a class just because they do not run that class.
I watch and support all the class's and have race friends in all class's up to and including a few in the Pro class's
If we do not support all the sportsman class's as a whole we may not like the final outcome.
The Sportsmen class's are just filler the Pro's are the show and most of know that.
Some on here just do not get it and think of themselves and live in there own bubble.
The Pro's are currently running here at Indy so I am off to watch some of it.
End of second rant.
Rick Cates

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

I agree Rick, great post.

Re: INDY , 2019 parking fiasco. ...
 

Floyd my Brother-in-law had the same set up as you had and he was runner up at the Gatornationals the first time they had S/C there.
Kenney Kelley